Unity is led by Shaykh Amer Jamil, described by the Sunday Herald as Scotland’s leading scholar and one of the country’s most prominent and respected Muslim thinkers.

Shaykh Amer was born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland. After graduating from Strathclyde University with an LLB (Bachelor in Law), he spent ten years studying the Arabic language and Islamic Sciences. During this period he obtained a BA (Hons) in Islamic studies from the University of Wales and then strengthened his studies by studying for six years with renowned scholars in the Middle East (Syria and Yemen).

He has studied with numerous distinguished scholars from a range of different schools of thought. His balanced studies in both secular and religious arenas give him a combination of sound scholarship with a profound understanding of society.

His main field of interest is primarily Islamic family law; an area in which he has studied in depth having studied all four schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi and Hanbali schools- Syria, Shafi and Maliki schools– Yemen). Currently, he is conducting a PhD research on the relationship between Islamic family law and Scots family law.

He also has a certificate in counselling skills accredited by COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) and is a certified practitioner of Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and TIME Techniques. He is an Islamic family law consultant to a local Scottish law firm and a Family support consultant at Unity Family Services.

He is an Islamic Family Law advisor and consultant to a local Scottish law firm.

In 2007 he authored the booklet “What Islam Really Says About Domestic Abuse”. A work which shattered the myth that Islam allowed domestic abuse (supported by the Scottish Government and Strathclyde Police). Translated into 5 languages with 8000 copies distributed to the Police, women groups, Social Work and other relevant agencies.

In 2009 he co-founded the Solas Foundation and with his partner Shaykh Ruzwan Muhammad, established the iSyllabus Islamic studies program; a one year comprehensive islamic studies course. He is currently the project director of the programme. www.isyllabus.org.uk

In 2010 he launched a national campaign on raising awareness and tackling domestic abuse in the Muslim community.

Jasmin Roshan co founder and chair set up unity family services in 2009 primarily to offer support and guidance to families within an islamic context in todays' society. this was prompted by her experiences in working with the communities in glasgow over the past 13 years.

Jasmin is acutely aware of family breakdown and the effects it has on children having worked as a social worker in glasgow over the past 8 years. jasmin hopes that the support that unity family services offers will empower individuals, couples and families to make the changes in their lives that will be beneficial to them and society as a whole.

Qualifications: COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills, Diploma in Social Work, Under Graduate in Child Care and Protection

Nazim is a Consultant Physician at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer (University of Glasgow) who understands and appreciates the importance of the family unit and Islamic principles in modern society.

He has a drive and work ethic that he wants use to see Unity Family Services fulfill its aims professionally, efficiently and to a high standard. He feels the work undertaken by the charity is a model for similar projects elsewhere in the UK.

He has been involved in student, community and professional work for over 15 years, with a particular interest in educating the community in the areas of health and learning Islam, having published work in leading medical journals relating to Islam and the medical practice.

Nisa has worked in Community Learning and Development for over 15 years and is passionate about working with communities to enhance there knowledge and development in our ever changing society. With this in mind Nisa joined Unity Family Services knowing the contribution that can be made with the experience of working in various community settings and groups of people. In her spare time Nisa also volunteers for various other charities also.

Sadia is an ACCA qualified accountant (in progress) who has been working since completing her university degree in 2008. She has gained a vast amount of experience through her working career and has progressed to a senior managing role at the accounting firm in which she works. She possesses a lot of relevant knowledge and experience in relation to the running of charities and all the requirements needed for registered charities.

Sadia gets involved with as many charities as she can, always playing an active role in raising money for good causes. She is currently involved in the early stages of starting up a charity based business with her husband, which will involve selling products produced by Palestinian woman. This will encourage and support the livelihood of woman who may not have someone to support them, and so they will have the means to support themselves.

I have always been passionate about community related work. Therefore after completing my academic studies I worked with a small team of likeminded individuals to develop a new organisation called Ethnic Enable which supports disabled people (and their carers) from the black and ethnic minority communities.

At present I am working at the Glasgow Women’s Library, a fantastic organisatoion who support learning and development for women. I recently compiled a book documenting stories of migrant women in Glasgow. Over the last 10 years I have been part of Al Meezan, a thriving Islamic Centre for women and children, where I started off as a learner and now part of the staff team teaching Islamic studies to children. I also enjoy the outdoor environment and recently completed the Community Leadership Training programme with the Forestry Commission, and I am keen to engage ethnic minority communities with the Scottish outdoor.

From my experience of working in the community I have come across many problems facing Muslim families, particularity in relation to marriage, divorce and parenting. Families are crumbling as they are not fully aware of their rights and obligations, or due to misconceptions about the ideal Muslim family structure are often influenced by cultural practices which have little or nothing to do with Islam.

Unity Family offers a ‘one stop shop’ service provision where families can gain sound advice and support in line with Islamic and British Law. With expertise on board, Unity Family understands the complexities and challenges facing British Muslim families and have relevant knowledge and skills to address these issues.

I feel that the Scottish Muslim community do well in supporting charitable causes abroad, or raising funds to build a mosque or Islamic learning centre’s however our focus should also be to build stronger families and subsequently a stronger Muslim society in the future.

Zahrah Mahmood graduated with a degree in Accountancy in 2012. She works as an auditor in the public sector ensuring money is spent efficiently, effectively and economically. She has recently completed all her ICAS examinations and is an exam qualified CA.

In her spare time Zahrah is an active member of the community and volunteers with various organisations, including feeding the homeless in Glasgow.